Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for better sound quality, the EcoXGear Defender for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #17 of 73 boombox speakers at $549.95. The EcoXGear Defender ranks #57 at $260, $289.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Boombox 4 offers: Pretty insane output capability for the size, with 7-band EQ for better tuning than the Boombox 3. Watch for: It’s overpriced for the category, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box, and drops Aux input entirely.
What the EcoXGear Defender offers: A claimed 121dB output for a fraction of the price, a built-in flashlight and bottle opener, and it floats. Watch for: Bass isn’t as deep as the class’s better competitors.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the EcoXGear Defender if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the EcoXGear Defender. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | EcoXGear Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $260 |
| Ranked | #17 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #57 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Max Volume | 115dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 100W |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 6.7" x 15.4" x 9.6" (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 52mm full-range driver |
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Demerbox DB2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 24 comparisons
EcoXGear Defender: $260 Amazon
Pros: 121dB output for $250. IP67 waterproof/dustproof, floats. Built-in flashlight and bottle opener. 25+ hour battery at 50% volume. USB-C charging output to top off devices.
Cons: Bass not as deep as competitors.
Full EcoXGear Defender review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 15.4" x 9.6" (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons